Monday, September 22, 2014

UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS

Today’s Reading: Luke 17-18

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

 

This is a millstone from the time of Christ that was uncovered in Capernaum on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verses: Luke 17:2 & 10

It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones…

So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’

 

Imagine the millstone pictured above hung around someone’s neck. Imagine that person with the weight of that stone being cast into the sea. Jesus presented very graphic word pictures. Jesus goes on to teach that if someone sins against us seven times in one day and says to us, “I repent,” we are to forgive that person. All this is humanly impossible. No wonder the disciples said to Jesus, “increase our faith.” Jesus’ response to this request is as follows: First, take the tiny mustard seed faith we already have, and take authority over the mulberry tree and its roots. Get rid of any unnecessary thing that would take up space in our lives so that we’ll have more room for an increased level of faith. Second, consider ourselves “unprofitable servants.” Being small in our own eyes will leave more room for an increase of faith. Check out 1 Samuel 15:17 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I’m getting rid of anything that would clutter up my life. Please help me to identify the “mulberry tree.” Also, Lord, I humble myself before You and consider myself an “unprofitable servant.” Please fill the additional space now available with an increase in my faith in You. Thank You Lord! In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I will never forget one of our frequent guests on the 100 Huntley Street telecast, Dr. John Wesley White. He is a native of Saskatchewan, an associate evangelist with Billy Graham, and a PhD from Oxford University. The very first time on air with me he looked into the camera and said to the viewers, “God has given you a guarantee that if a person will simply pray, ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner,’ that precious person will be made right with God.” I believe that millions have been justified as a result of humbly praying that prayer (Luke 18:13-14). Another guarantee from God is found in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Yours for the sure knowledge that we are justified before God by believing and acting upon His Word  (“Mustard seed” faith is simply enough faith to do exactly what God tells us to do in His Word!!!),

David (the man who goes way over his 100 words, particularly in the P.S. below)

P.S. Here’s more on the historical accuracy and reliability of the Scriptures. The writer of 14 books of the Greek language New Testament Scriptures, the Apostle Paul, had a name change. Before his conversion to Jesus Christ (Acts 9), he was known as Saul of Tarsus, the fiercest enemy of the new movement of believers in Jesus Christ. He was educated by Rabbi Gamaliel, who was the grandson of Rabbi Hillel, perhaps the most famous Rabbi of all time. Saul had access directly to the High Priest. He asked for, and received, letters of authority to imprison, and even kill, followers of Jesus (Acts 7:58, 8:1).  He approved of the stoning execution of the early church deacon, Stephen. As a person of obvious Jewish religious power, he would have followed closely all the events over the three years of Jesus’ ministry and been aware of Jesus’ teaching, crucifixion, and reported resurrection. His rage was no doubt fuelled by the frustration at not being able to refute any of Jesus’ miracles, particularly Jesus’ resurrection from the dead!!! Therefore, after Saul of Tarsus’ conversion, we find Saul/Paul verifying all the historical records in his writings and teaching!!! Luke, the historian of 60-70 years from the birth of Jesus onward, was the constant travelling and ministry companion of The Apostle Paul. It is my firm conviction that if all Luke wrote was not accurate, and if the dozens of places in Paul’s writings where he references Jesus’ life were not reliable, Luke and Paul would have been contradicted by the Jewish historian Josephus, or one of the other contemporaries of Paul with whom he had been educated who had not been converted to Christ. No such contradictions exist!!! Think with me about these P.S. comments. My young friend, Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, has a goal in life – making Christians into thinkers and thinkers into Christians. You can visit his website here.

13 thoughts on “Monday, September 22, 2014

  1. “Be my symptoms what they will… Jesus is my Healer still” David Maines father. Does anyone know of a DVD or CD of healing scriptures? Leaving for tests just now. Will be back to the blog later today.

    • Doreen, I pray your tests went well and that you felt the presence of God with you. Blessings and praying for favourable results. Catherine

    • Dear Doreen
      The best healing CD that i turn to often is the one that suggested by Rev. David M. when he was first diagnosed and under treatment of acute leukemia .

      Healing Atmosphere
      Lorne Mathews ( pianist).
      music and scriptures to encourage faith, peace and healing.

      You can find it on youtube . There is a free download .
      Keeping you and your husband in prayer.
      xoxoxo Carole

  2. Love Jesus’ parables. They’re easy to understand and to the point.
    How amazing that proof of Jesus’ life here on earth is still with us. We will never be able to fathom God’s love for us so we may as well just revel in it.
    Please pray for the salvation of children of the world.
    God be with us all as we do our duties.

    • What about the parable of the shrewed manager in Luke 16? I have great difficulty understanding how the master commended the unjust steward for questionable practices.
      Shalom,
      Graham.
      2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.

  3. Thank you Pastor David for our daily manna and do not fret over going over 100 words, they are music to our ears.

    The parables of Jesus are so very easy to relate to and Paul’s miraculous conversion should spur others who hear of it to trust The Lord and follow HIM.

  4. Dear Mr. Mainse,
    Thank you for the P.S. comments on the accuracy of the scriptures.
    My husband mentioned to me the other day that my brother-in-law, an atheist,
    wants to have a talk with me about my faith in Jesus.
    We spoke lightly a few months ago, and he agreed when I said its about having faith in Jesus as our LORD and SAVOUR.
    Please pray for my witnessing to him, and to others as the opportunity appears.
    And if there are any references I could relay to him apart from Mr. Mainse’ comments.
    Blessings on this beautiful new day,

    Diane 🙂

  5. Peace of mind for you and your husband, Doreen as you look to the GREATEST PHYSICIAN, for HIS total healing and great result in the tests.
    When we read of the conversion of Saul to Paul, nothing is impossible with OUR GOD!!!!

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